By Ling Hui
BINTULU, Oct 20: Former PBB Supreme Council member Pandi Suhaili has taken upon himself the responsibilty to introduce GPS new-face candidate for Jepak by-election Iskandar Turkee to local voters.
As a Jepak PBB veteran and also president of Persatuan Anaq Vaie, Pandi found himself obligated to help connect local folks with Iskandar to secure the win for Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
“He is new and he was away from Bintulu for quite some time. Many people don’t know him yet.
“Then, it becomes our duty (as leaders known by the community) to introduce him to the voters. We have to, that is our duty.
“Of course he cannot do it alone. We have to help him. And when he becomes the representative of Jepak, he has to continue on the late Talib’s plan (for Jepak),” said Pandi.
He however did not see this as an issue as Iskandar would start making his rounds and get to know the people during the campaign period after nomination on Oct 21.
Pandi was confident that the majority of Jepak voters would be fond of the candidate once they learn more about him.
Prior to the naming of the candidate by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Pandi was rumoured to be one of the potential GPS candidates for the Jepak before the official announcement on Oct 18.
To this, Pandi reiterated that he is a party man who follows party directives and would give full support to Iskandar, who is actually the son of Pandi’s cousin.
“As long as he (Iskandar) is chosen by the Premier, we have to obey. We will work hard. Because at the end of the day, if we break up among ourselves, nobody wins.
“I believe that at the end of it, everybody will give in, whether they like it or not. PBB is the only party that can bring development to Jepak is PBB,” he told DayakDaily at a local coffeeshop earlier today.
Meanwhile, Kampung Sungai Sebuan village headman Osman Juari is convinced that Iskandar will garner the majority of the support and Jepak will remain PBB’s stronghold.
Osman, when met at his residence today, said 95 per cent of Jepak voters are staunch supporters of GPS as it has been a “tradition” to support GPS.
“Definitely (Iskandar will win), because he is representing GPS. Most of the people will vote for him and no other party. He is ‘anak Vaie’, so we vote for him,” he added.
So far, only three candidates have been officially named for the Jepak by-election.
To challenge Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi) fielded Bintulu businessman Chieng Lea Phing while Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) re-nominated 42-year-old businessman Stevenson Joseph Sumbang from Sibu.
As of today, the Election Commission (EC) said, nine candidate nomination forms were purchased for the Jepak by-election. — DayakDaily
